"Greg H," 3/31/2005

(Chief opinion: NoComment)

I am not from Illinois nor attend the school, but I am appalled that every year we, the people of the United States of America, are told that we are offending someone's religion or race and must change who we are. This is not progress. This is bigotry even greater than we are being accused of ourselves. We simbolize the American Indians not for ridicule but as part of our own history. We are a part of the American Indian culture just as they are a part of ours. We have integrated ourselves and melded with many societies and cultures to become who we are today. Should we not also rename the state of Illinois? There are too many people out there with nothing to do but create debate. Why? Why not. I disagree with a few people stating that the chief is displayed in a derogatory fashion. It is an honor that our schools, our states, our cities and our counties honor the American Indian tradition. So, I say we strike all reference and usage of the American Indian in our schools and Universities. Let us remove them from the texts in which they truly lived. There is no need to further remind our sports associations how cruel and savage they were. Let us forget that they are the "fighting Illini" as they actually were. There should be no brutality in sports anyways. We could rename the Illinois school teams the "Fighting ForeFathers."

"Greg H," via the web.